PRICE WARS PRESSURE STATER BROS. MARGINS

COLTON, Calif. - Stater Bros. Holdings said last week a decision to participate in "an arm-wrestling match" over price between two competitors earlier this year resulted in a decline in net earnings for the third quarter that ended June 25, although earnings for the year to date and sales for the quarter and 39-week period increased.Jack Brown, chairman and chief executive officer, told bondholders

COLTON, Calif. - Stater Bros. Holdings said last week a decision to participate in "an arm-wrestling match" over price between two competitors earlier this year resulted in a decline in net earnings for the third quarter that ended June 25, although earnings for the year to date and sales for the quarter and 39-week period increased.